Top 20 Clever Kitchen Hacks That Will Save the Day (21 Photos)

Everyday ingenuity is the key to solving common kitchen dilemmas. Ever wondered how to keep a bottle of wine fresh without a proper stopper, or how to chill a drink in a hurry? Smart home cooks know how to bake multiple dishes at once, saving precious time—and reducing the mountain of dishes afterwards. And as it turns out, your dishwasher isn't just for dishes! Here are some ingenious tricks from seasoned home cooks to make your kitchen routine easier.







A glass of water prevents food from drying out in the microwave





Keep boxes of foil and plastic wrap organized by storing them together in a single container



Bake multiple pizzas at once by cutting them into halves



Need to chill a drink fast in hot weather? Wrap it in a damp paper towel and pop it in the freezer for just a minute.



Foil helps you cook two dishes at the same time.



Yes, really! Your dishwasher isn't just for dirty dishes. It can easily clean and sanitize a giant pile of plastic toys



A creative and effective way to shield yourself from hot oil splatters



A little ingenuity makes slicing soft cheese (or ice cream) quick and clean



Freezing ground meat flat takes up less freezer space and thaws much faster



A cardboard box can double as a handy disposable stand



Turn yogurt cups into instant popsicles



A butter dish fit for the digital age.



Foil can help resize an oversized baking dish



A DIY spill-proof cup made with plastic wrap, a glass, and a straw



Your vacuum cleaner has a job to do in the kitchen, too



How to save leftover wine without a proper stopper? A finger cut from a rubber glove works wonders



A handy note keeps you from pressing the wrong buttons



Dental floss cuts soft cheese better than even the sharpest knife



Hide dirty dishes behind a photo of a clean sink to save face when unexpected guests drop by



A long screw and a claw hammer make a great makeshift corkscrew.